This month I assisted Rhys with ironing out some of the issues we encountered within the code as the obstacle avoidance was not working. The micro mouse would just spin on the spot or if it did hit something it wouldn’t reverse. Dr Davies helped us work it out and it now works much better and does avoid obstacles but unfortunately there is still a software issue in that the left motor spins slower than the right motor. I will be looking at the PWM stuff in case that is the issue and if not then we will need to seek further assistance. I also have written my ethics statement based on the Engineering council guidelines which was interesting to learn as I have not read about ethics in engineering before, I think it will also help me be a better and more understanding teammates.

I am looking forward to the work we will be doing in the next month as it should mean we will see the micro mouse come along and start to perform much better.  It will be gratifying when we can see the micro mouse functioning properly and then we can move onwards towards completing the PCB design.

During this first month we met our other teammates and did some bonding exercises, so we got to know each other. We also decided our roles for the project. I will be doing the electronic hardware along with Andrew as well as doing the software with Rhys. We split these tasks between multiple people so that they are more manageable and causes less stress within the team.

At the start of this month, we created a team page for Team Foxtrot so we can all communicate and send files to each other more easily. On this webpage we setup tasks which allow us to easily see what we need to do and when the deadline for those tasks is. Also, this month myself and Rhys have made a breadboard circuit using the IR sensors which will allow us to see and understand how the Micro mouse sensors will work. The basic layout of the micro mouse was also done as I have attached the motors and bearings to the chassis of the robot.

In the upcoming month we should be able to complete the IR sensor circuit and then we can progress onto the designing of the shell of the micro mouse as well as having a group conversation about the special feature our micro mouse will have. I will be doing some of the software as well.